David Loeb

Reflections on Sephardic Melodies

This collection of pieces by David Loeb, written for piccolo alone, derive from melodies of the Sephardic tradition, an oral tradition remarkably well preserved despite dispersion and fragmentation of the Spanish Jewish community more than five centuries ago. The melodies display a remarkably hybrid aspect, with elements of Jewish, Islamic, Central European and indigenous Spanish musical traditions present in varying extents, always blended with consummate skill and taste. Some melodies seem Medieval, with comparatively static harmonic implications, while the more chromatic and harmonically active melodies suggest a close affinity with the Renaissance. In five movements: Por qué llorax blanca niña; Morena ma llaman; Ya viene el cativo; Nani, nani; Una matica de ruda.